Shug Dog Breed

The Shug, as a crossbreed, is not an official member of any breed group; dogs of this breed were probably developed during the "designer dog" craze in the U.S. in the late twentieth century. As German Shepherd-Pug crosses, Shugs are intelligent, loyal, and fun-loving, and are great dogs for families of any size, though they can be quite mischievous and may require a bit of obedience training.

Here are some good (and not so good) qualities of the breed:

PROS:

• Intelligent
• Affectionate and playful
• Normally sheds minimally
• Low overall maintenance required
• Great with kids
• Good watchdog abilities
• Responds well to training
• Socializes well with other pets
• Adapts fairly well to apartment life

CONS:

• Tendency for mischief
• May suffer separation anxiety if left alone
• Typically barks often
• High tendency for obesity
• Moderate to high exercise requirements
• May not be suitable for first-time owners
• Unknown health
• Might be difficult to housetrain
• Often prone to digging and chewing
• May be hard to find/obtain

Shugs are the very definition of family pets: affectionate, playful, sensitive, and often needy and mischievous. As a German Shepherd-Pug hybrid, this crossbreed can vary quite a bit in size. A Shug's coat can vary too: most are short-haired (though a few are longer), and coat texture is normally silky-smooth. Shugs don't shed a great deal, and their coats are often hypoallergenic.

Dogs of this breed are playful and fun-loving, and they can be quite naughty. Experts contend that Shugs may need some obedience training to instill proper behavior--but the good news is that these dogs are normally pretty smart and willing to please, so they will respond well to any training.

One characteristic a Shug's parent breeds share is neediness. They will not be happy if ignored or left alone for extended periods, and will often express its displeasure by barking or being destructive. These happy companions are great playmates for kids of any age, and mix well with other dogs, cats, and other household animals. They're also loyal and protective, and usually good watchdogs.

Shugs are fairly active--and are always up for playtime!--and they will need a good bit of activity. They will enjoy long walks or household romps; they make good couch potatoes, too, and like--well, more like love--to eat. So they will need plenty of activity to avoid becoming obese.

Shugs are considered generally healthy, and are likely to benefit from hybrid vigor, in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits of its parent breeds. Not much is known about potential health problems of this breed, but the German Shepherd and the Pug share common ailments which may be inherited by their Shug offspring. These include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Allergies
• Elbow dysplasia
• Eye issues